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2008 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan/GLI

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Jetta Sedan/GLI.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2008 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan and its performance-oriented GLI variant represent a compact passenger-car entry, with a 6.3-quart engine oil capacity and manufacturer-approved viscosities of 0W-40, 5W-30, or 5W-40 defining the year's service envelope. The model logged 190 owner complaints with the power train identified as the dominant problem area, accompanied by six recalls, giving the 2008 car a clearly defined footprint within the Jetta's reliability record. For a researcher, the heavy concentration of issues under the power train heading — rather than a wider scatter across other categories — narrows the investigative focus and establishes mechanical durability as the central thread for assessing this generation.

Model year2012201020092008

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.3 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-40 / 5W-30 / 5W-40OEM · verified
Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 540 CCA battery, OE oil filter 06J115403Q. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 47 · 540 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225-45R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter06J115403Q alt 06D115562
Engine air filter1K0129620G alt 07K129620
Fuel filter6Q0201051J alt 1K0201051K
Spark plug06H905601A alt 101905600C
Battery000915105AF alt 000915105AD
Front wiper blades1Q1998002
Serpentine belt07K145933C alt 07K145933E
Thermostat06H121113B alt 07K121113B
Cabin air filter1K1819669

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length172.4 in
Overall width68.5 in
Overall height57.1 in
Wheelbase98.8 in
Curb weight2895 lb
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 58.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.3 qt of 0W-40 / 5W-30 / 5W-40 engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-4-5-3. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.5-7.5
Brake FluidDOT 4
Engine CoolantUSE G012ABG-A1 COOLANT
Engine Oil0W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity6.3 qt
Engine Oil0W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs11 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts6.6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts89 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-4-5-3
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)730 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerVW
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque18 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerVW

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.10-1.21 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.38-4.05 oz
Standard BCI Group Number47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance540 cca
Optional BCI Group Number94R Gas

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum58.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum101.0 psi
Residual Pressure43.5 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum58.0 psi
Residual Pressure43.5 psi
Injector Primary Resistance1.0
Injector Primary Resistance10.0
Engine Compression160

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH FS III
Torque to Knuckle18 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket18 ft-lbs / 26 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Brake ApplicationWITH FS III
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.866 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.866 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.784 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
16 ft. lbs., Step 2: 906 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9022 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1111 ft. lbs., step 2: 90111 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees.90 degrees
390 degrees.90 degrees
4Front bolts6 ft. lbs
590 degrees.; Do not re-use old bolts.90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees.90 degrees
390 degrees.90 degrees
4Front bolts6 ft. lbs
590 degrees.; Do not re-use old bolts.90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
129.5 ft. lbs.29.5 ft. lbs
2turn 90 degrees90 degrees
3turn 90 degrees90 degrees
4pretighten crankcase ventilation 6 ft. lbs.6 ft. lbs
5turn 90 degrees; Starting at center and working outward, tighten all fasteners alternately and evenly.90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
1Bolts 1-1230 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees; Bolts 13; 7.3 ft. lbs.; Use new bolts. Do not lube bolts. A 2-3 mm bead of a suitable sealer must be placed on the block at the timing chain area front and back sides. Install head gasket and apply sealer on top of head gasket at the timing chain area rear only.90 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
144 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9044 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
144 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9044 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12 ft. lbs., step 2: 72 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
14 ft. lbs., step 2: 9 ft. lbs., step 3: 12 ft. lbs., step 4: 184 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12 ft. lbs., step 2: 72 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
14 ft. lbs., step 2: 9 ft. lbs., step 3: 12 ft. lbs., step 4: 184 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
129 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9029 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 40,000 mi.

At 5,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 5,000 miBrake System (inspect)
Every 10,000 miBattery (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
At 20,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 20,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Door Stop (lubricate) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 40,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Final Drive (inspect fluid level) · Power Steering System (inspect fluid level) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 60,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 60,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Timing Belt (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan/GLI lead in one area — the power train, 41 of 190 reports (22%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 6 recall campaigns target the power train, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 4 of the reports describe a crash and 4 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the power train pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
605
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
190
Owner complaints
4 involved a crash · 4 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 190 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train41
Electrical System20
Air Bags17
Service Brakes, Hydraulic13
Unknown Or Other8
Visibility8
Engine7
Electrical System,Latches/Locks/Linkages6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V679000Unknown Or OtherReported 25/09/2019

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015… Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298…

20E064000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master CylinderReported 23/09/2020

Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles… Remedy: Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 605 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
V1719012012855672023-10-30EngineVW Engine oil quality standards
V1719052012855662023-09-28EquipmentVW Engine oil quality standards
V2719012011894252023-09-07EquipmentBattery Testing and Charging Using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000VAS Charger. Update…
V0018092053065_42023-09-05EquipmentSafety Related Inquiry and Reporting
V1719012012855652023-08-21Engine And Engine CoolingUpdate to Volkswagen engine oil standards

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Jetta Sedan/GLI. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 47 batteryVehicles taking 6.3 qtEngine oil filter 06J115403QEngine air filter 1K0129620GFuel filter 6Q0201051JSpark plug 06H905601A

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 Jetta Sedan/GLI take?

6.3 qt of 0W-40, 5W-30 OR 5W-40 MEETING VW SPECIFICATION 502.00, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 Jetta Sedan/GLI have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.